Come Party With Us! - Ultimate Blog Party 2009

There's a party going on at 5 Minutes for MOM and you have to come party and meet friends and win prizes.



A few things about me:

** I am a SAHM with two wonderful children and I feel very blessed to be their mother. I live in Louisiana but I'm from the Caribbean island of Jamaica.
** God is constant in my everyday thoughts and my all belongs to HIM.

** I would rather recieve a potted plant than flowers.
** You will also come to know that I"m a music fan. I have to tap a strand to whatever is playing.
** I sometimes do sweepstakes and hope that I"ll win
** I"ll hug you if I am touched by your spirit. I love to give hugs period.
** I love chins

** I talk to my babies like they are another adult listening and interacting with me. I love breastfeeding my babies and wish I could have done it longer. I did not wean them...it just faded out.
** I loooove to dance and listen to music. Its in me bones!!! It would be great to have a best friend to just be down with no matter how I"m feeling.
** I'm a bookworm, I read just about everything!

** I want to adopt two kids
** I am still afraid of very loud thunders, I'd rather not be alone when its happening.
** I clean when I'm angry and frustrated
** I love my husband...I just don't know how to love him all the time.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is out light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson ~ from A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles ~

P - Pray
U - Until
S - Something
H - Happens


Here are a few of the prizes I'd really love to win, especially the Bilingual packages or Amazon gifts:

$100 gift certificate to either Pedal Cars and Retro or A Rocking Horse To Love
Provided by: 5 Minutes for Mom

Boca Beth Grande Bag
Provided by: Boca Beth LLC

Books $40 value: Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten & First Grade!
Provided by: www.cedarvalleypublishing.com

$30 Gift Credit to Amazon.com
Provided by: Robynn’s Ravings

Spanish for Children DVD series.
Provided by: Bilingual Fun

$100 gift card to HomeGoods
Provided by: HG Openhouse

$50 gift certificate to born2impress
Provided by: born2impress

Spanish Language Learning Software from Peanut Butter
Provided by: Life is Sweet

Ergo Baby Carrier
Provided by: A Giveaway Addicted Mommy

Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
Provided by: Moms Who Think

$50 gift certificate to Target Stores
Provided by: Shoot-Me-Now

Core Fitness for Mom DVD from Moms into Fitness
Provided by: Busy Mommy


So come on over and hang!

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Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Matthew 24:6 NIV

Recommended Reading 2 Timothy 3:1-5

If you sat down to watch the classic Disney animated film, Beauty and the Beast, and you didn't already know the storyline, upon seeing the Beast you might think he was the villain. Big, ugly, and scary, he fits the description perfectly. But as the story progresses, you realize that underneath his menacing exterior, he has a heart of gold. In fact, the true villain of the story ends up being tall, dark, and handsome Gaston, whom no one would have suspected.

In the End Times, the enemy is not going to appear looking like the Beast in the above story. The Bible says that, "…evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" in the last days (2 Timothy 3:13). If we are not careful, it is likely that we too could be deceived. It is our responsibility as Christians to take time to learn about the biblical signs of the End Times so we can look past appearances and see the true enemy. When we can do this, we will avoid deception and walk confidently toward our future with Almighty God.

Satan loves the gullible Christian who likes sensations and the spectacular; he provides the spectacle and sensation, with which he can keep them off the true track.
Anonymous

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About Author

I'm Colette and this is my little spot on the web to share my thoughts and meet other great families.

You can contact me here if you desire. calliemist (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Below is a bit more about me.

• I am a SAHM with two wonderful children and I feel very blessed to be their mother. I live in Louisiana but I'm from the Caribbean islands.

• God is constant in my everyday thoughts and my all belongs to HIM.

• True love exists only in fairytales but in real life it is the love between a parent and child
• 
  
• I would rather receive a potted plant than flowers, but that doesn't mean I wont appreciate a thoughtful gesture of sweet smelling gorgeousness every now and then.

• I'm a music fan. I have to tap a strand to whatever is playing. I loooove to dance and listen to music. Its in me bones!!!When I grow up, I'll be a ballroom dancer. Follow our music blog here every Monday and dance along with us!

• I'll hug you if I am touched by your spirit. I love to give hugs period and also because no one hugged me when I was a child.

• I love chins

• I talk to my babies like they are another adult listening and interacting with me. I love breastfeeding my babies and wish I could have done it longer. I did not wean them...it just faded out around age 15 months.

• It would be great to have a best friend to just be down with no matter how I"m feeling.

• I'm a bookworm, I read just about everything!

• I want to adopt children. Always have had this desire since I was a child. If I don't get to, my heart will be broken.

• I am still afraid of very loud thunders, I'd rather not be alone when its happening. (Now that I have kids, I'm brave for them and now it's not so scary)

• I clean when I'm angry and frustrated

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is out light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. 

Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~ Marianne Williamson ~ from A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles ~

P - Pray
U - Until
S - Something
H - Happens

Q. What’s your name and blog? What other information would you like to share?

My name is Colette. Beautiful French name, huh? I still have no idea how my mother came up with it but I love it! I think I should ask her :)

I am SAHM of two children: A little girl who just turned three and a boy who will turn five in the next two months! I hope to adopt two children into our family and also to have more biological children. I am very shy but if put into situations where I need to speak up and lead, I will have no problem outwardly.

I love to dance and I love music. I can't have a favorite song or artist because I love such a wide variety of music. When I grow up I want to be a dancer and a diplomat.

My blog's name is JamericanSpice.

Q. Why did you choose that name for your blog?

I wanted to join both my cultures. I choose part of the word for my birth country 'Jamaica' and part from my home country 'America' and added a little spice representing the me in it all. Hence 'JamericanSpice.'

Q. Why did you start blogging?

I wanted to start writing about my life in journal form because someone told me it would help in my healing, but alas, my blog is now wide open and I find it hard to share so much of the raw details of my life growing up without parents in the orphanages in my country. I still might do it, but it's taking some thought. It's easier to write these things being obscured.

Q. What kind of stuff do you cover with your blog? Is there a specific genre you write about or is the sky the limit?

That's where the spice comes in. I like to share a little bit of everything and so I don't have a specific genre. I resist the constant barrage of articles that tells me that this is how I should run my blog or I'm not a success if I'm not into this or that or have that domain etc. I allow myself to blog freely.

Q. What is one must read post that you have written {Include Link}?

Hmm, I'll have to go check :)
I did and these are a few of the ones that means the most to me.

These are my favorite and most read:

Perfected in mama's kitchen

Hawaii - Our journey into amazing 

My little writer 

Q. Name one thing you love about your blogging job.

I do it on my own time and I get to meet some wonderful people from all over the world! I couldn't get to travel to so many places otherwise.

Q. Name one thing you’re not quite fond of about your blogging job.

Sometimes I don't get to visit everyone the same day or week and so it get's stretched out but I still save every comment so that I can return visits and share the love. I wish I was sorta super person so that I could return visits and comments on time, but there are so many people that it's hard to do that at all.

Q. What’s one random fact about you?

I won a dance competition at a club once :) I was first out of 30 people.

Q. Inspiration comes in many forms for different people. What inspires you?

Music has a way of inspiring me. There's always a language in music that is good for any situation that I'm going through.

Q. Where else can we find you(Personal Website, Etsy Shop, Twitter, Facebook, Etc.)?

It seems I am so connected now. *laughs*. You can always find me at these places:

BLOG

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

FEED

EMAIL FEED SUBSCRIPTION

NETWORKED BLOGS

<br><a href="http://www.jamericanspice.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/calliemist_bucket/Love2a.jpg"/></a><br>

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Marker lipstick

Thanks 5 Minutes For Moms and Wordless Wednesday

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Heart's Longing

Heart's Longing

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.
Psalm 42:1

Christian author and speaker, Steve Maxwell, says that if we could project up onto the wall a minute-by-minute account of our day, we would see where our heart truly lies. Is it in TV? Work? Friendships? Hobbies? In and of themselves, these activities are not wrong, but when we begin to prefer sitting in front of the TV, trying to get ahead at work, spending time with friends, or participating in our hobbies, our heart's focus shifts from God to the pleasures this world has to offer, and He is no longer the resident Ruler in our heart.

The Bible says that where a man's treasure is, there his heart will be also (Luke 12:34). If you invest the treasure of your time into knowing God, your heart will be drawn to Him in everything you do. And if you invest the treasure of your finances into helping others and being a good steward of what God has given you, your heart will remain steadfast toward Him.

As we schedule our days and weeks ahead, let us ask ourselves this: "What does our heart long for?" If it is anything except God, perhaps it's time to shift our focus.


While His covering, nurturing love accepts us as we are, a time comes when He begins to confront the false gods, the idols, which rule in our hearts. Indeed, anything in us that denies Him full access to our souls, that stands between our hearts and His, becomes His enemy.
Francis Frangipane

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Joy in Everything

Joy in Everything

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.
James 1:2

No small amount of harm has been done by well-intentioned Christians who misquote a particular Bible verse when attempting to comfort the grieving: "Don't forget that Scripture says to, ‘Give thanks for all things.'" Actually, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 doesn't say, "For everything give thanks;" it says, "In everything give thanks." And there is a world of difference between those two small words.

The Bible doesn't say we should rejoice and give thanks for the event that has caused our grief, suffering, or impatience—a lost job, the death of a loved one, or an unmet expectation. But it does say we should give thanks in (in the midst of) that situation. And why should we do that? Because giving thanks to God is an expression of our confident faith that He is aware of our situation and our need. The Bible is filled with expressions and promises that give us reason to trust God in the midst of trials and tribulations (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 11:11-13; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19).

Joy and thanksgiving in the midst of troubles are not normal in this world. But that is why we are exhorted to express them. Joy in the midst of trials is another sign that we are in, but not of, this world.

Joy is the serious business of heaven.
C. S. Lewis

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Disclosure Policy

PR Friendly/Legal Disclosure

Product Reviews


~There is never a fee for product reviews.


~ I do need a product to review: as myself, a member of my family, or someone in my circle will actually use your product in order to give a fair and honest review. Opinions are only formed with real and tangible items, not website pictures.


~ Upon completing my review obligation the review item will then be used in the manner I see fit. I do not review for the sake of profitable gain; I believe that unneeded items should be used for the greater good and may donate or gift the item to a local charity or other persons outside of my home. Please be assured that items are not sold or used in an irresponsible manner.


~I will not be responsible for any shipping costs. 


~I will use the review product to form an accurate, detailed and honest review. Should I feel your product does not meet my or my readers expectations I will contact you. In order for postings to maintain honest and unpersuaded I cannot send reviews to you prior to posting.


~ I reserve the right to post negative reviews on my blog and will inform you before article goes live. At which point efforts will be made in order to find a positive solution for both of us. If no solution is reached I will post my review.


~Please allow 3-6 weeks (depending upon the product type) at the most for me to completely review your product and write the review. 


~All product reviews will post or be linked to jamericanspice.com, Twitter, Facebook and Google Plus. As well as any of the giveaway blog link ups that I am participating in at that time.


~ Once I have completed and posted my review I will send you a link. The only corrections I will make are typographical errors, follow back links, and keyword terms.


~ I under no circumstance will return review samples with the exception of defective items and then the sponsor will pay all shipping fees.


Giveaways


I prefer (but don’t require) to give a review that allows me to offer my readers (prizes) giveaways, if you would also like a giveaway with your review please let me know.


I do not publicly post a winner's list, all winners are notified via email and then forwarded to the appropriate giveaway sponsor. For the status of a specific giveaway inquiries may be made in writing and sent to calliemist@yahoo.com


I email all winners, they have 48 hours to respond. If there is no response I draw a new winner,  I use random.org to select winners.


I do my best to operate on an honor system and ask the same of my sponsors and readers. I have no way of knowing your online activities but request that if you win a duplicate item from another blog in one of my sponsored giveaways I ask that you give someone else a chance and kindly decline the prize. Share the wealth so that we may all continue to enjoy the benefits of blog sponsored giveaways.


In conjunction with my zero shipping cost legal disclosure it is my policy that all prizes for winners be sent directly from sponsor. As part of my review agreement the sponsor agrees to ship product/prize directly to the winner. I will provide you (the sponsor) with the winners information. I ask that unless otherwise agreed upon that you send the product (prize) directly to the winner(s) within 2-3 weeks.


I hold no liability for winnings that are lost, stolen or defective. Prizing items are the sole responsibility of the giveaway sponsor.


Legal Disclosure:
These policies are valid from 12 March 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me, the owner. For questions about this blog, please contact the blog administrator calliemist@yahoo.com


This blog does accept any form of cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions and also accepts and keep free products, services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations.


This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. Per Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising all content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.


The owner(s) of this blog is not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.


This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.


Imagery: All images contained on this web-site are the property of their respective owners. JamericanSpice and its administrators do not claim ownership, unless otherwise noted, of any image contained herein.


Personal photographs: are the sole property of this sites owner and fall under applicable copyright protections, any use of said photos will require prior authorization of the administration of JamericanSpice. Permissions may be obtained through the sites contact page.




To get your own policy, go to http://www.disclosurepolicy.org/ 


JamericanSpice is compliant with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Please report any abuse of this policy to calliemist@yahoo.com I receive product(s) for free through each mentioned company or representing PR agency, for review purposes. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally use and believe will be a good match for my readers. Prizes shipped by sponsor I hold no responsibility. Giveaway are not affiliated with Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus in anyway.

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Today should be the worst...

....day of my period when I'm doubled over in pain, but I woke up earlier and popped two pills before the pain started. THANK GOD!

I went out to lunch with a friend from bible study. She was cool. I could tell she wanted to hang and wasn't rushing. That definitely made me feel relaxed.
It was fun. So different from my routine of being home all day.

The kids should be up soon and I'm doing dinner and eating chocolate and OMGM (Oh my girly mouse) I can't stop moaning. I CANNOT believe chocolates can tastes so good. OMGM *MOAN*

I"ll have to buy boxes and boxes of this *moan*

OMGM!

There's more but that's all for now.

Oh I gotta worry about dinner.....I don't want the man to come home and not have dinner or I"ll feel like crap,.

Oh and the "Moan*

It's a box of Whitman's sampler! Oooh

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Spotlight on PR - Introducing JamericanSpice

August 4, 2009

I am kinda new at blogging and still learning alot and feeling my way around. I've met some wonderful families here, however I'd love to branch out into more reviews and giveaways but have no idea how to connect with PR companies or where to look. There is this one group that I found, but they require money to join that I don't have, to see PR pitches, so I have been waiting for the opportunities to jump in somewhere.

The great news I just read at icefairy's treasure chest blog is that Feels Like Home and Adrienne’s House are hosting a special event called Spotlight on PR. All you have to do is simply write a post on your blog to introduce yourself, your blog, and your interests and leave the link in the MckLinky on either host blog by Friday 8/7. You can imagine what a breath of fresh air this to me.

So here I go.
My name is Colette and I'm a stay at home mother of two kids. I hope to have more children which includes adoption into our family. I presently blog about my multicultural family and our experiences and travels. It's a way to meet other wonderful families and keep my extended family updated on happenings in our lives. I love to do product reviews and giveaways that are family friendly, educational and great for the environment. I especially would love to do reviews for children in any category.

As a mother it's great to see some really great reviews about products that I could use or I am already using with my family. I too would love to share that with other families and friends.

If you are a PR professional and think our partnership would be mutually beneficial, you can contact me anytime here at this link or just by emailing me at calliemist AT yahoo DOT com. I will love to hear from you.

So jump in ladies and gents and thank you Tara and Adrienne!

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